A bloody clash between suspected Fulani herdsmen and Gbagyi communities in Niger State has led to the death of about 11 persons.
It was gathered that the incident happened during the Eid-El- Fitri celebration. Four persons were reportedly killed in Lamba, Paikoro local government, while another seven were hacked down during another fiasco between the same ethnic people in Barakuta in Boss local government area of the state. Punch reports that in Barakuta, besides the loss of lives, several persons were injured, property worth millions of naira including houses, vehicles and motorcycles were razed and many others injured. The immediate causes of the fracas in the two communities were not yet ascertained as at going to press. However, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has vowed to bring mastermind and accomplices of the two clashes to book. He spoke when he visited the Bosso primary school, Bosso where the displaced women and children from Bara-Kuta were being temporarily sheltered. Shocked by the wanton destruction of lives and properties including farm lands, the governor said: “Nobody has the power or right to take the life of others.
These senseless and unwarranted killings cannot and will not be condoned. You cannot just take machete and kill somebody because of disagreement. There are laws and nobody can claim to be above the law. Whatever maybe the grievances, people cannot take laws into their hands. I have instructed the chairmen of the affected councils, commissioner of police and my special adviser on security to fish out the masterminds of the two clashes as well as their accomplices. I have also directed for comprehensive investigations into the incidences with a view to prosecuting and bringing to book the culprits. We are determined to bring an end to this barbaric act. The Police and other security agencies should ensure that we get to the root of these sad events, prosecute and punish those found culpable”. The governor directed that while State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) ensures the comfort of the displaced persons, the police should provide adequate protection for the displaced persons at the camp. “I sympathise with you people over the unfortunate incident here at Lamba, now that peace as returned, I implore you all to go after your duties and business without fear. Government is on top of the situation and we shall ensure the security of our people and their properties, including their farms and animals,” the governor assured the people of Lamba. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Paikoro Local Government, Mr John Maikarfi told the governor that he had set up a 9-man committee to investigate the cause of the fracas at Lamba village. The state police Command spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana also told journalists that police and military had been drafted to the communities for joint patrol, adding that those arrested were being investigated. In a similar development, pandemonium has rocked Benue state as herdsmen have carried out deadly attacks. About 81 people were reportedly killed in two local governments of the state. According to survivors and eyewitnesses of the herdsmen attacks; Turan, Mbagber, Yonov and Tombo communities in Logo were attacked on the same day while Varser in Ukum Local Government came under siege, leaving another 53 persons dead. The traditional ruler of Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme, while speaking to Channels Television on the invasion of rural communities said 70 persons were killed in six out of the 10 council wards in his domain. He went on to say the attacks were carried out by herdsmen who were trying to occupy their territory for cattle grazing. This attempt was blocked by people of the communities, leading to attacks.
